Solving m - (x-n)^2: Get Help Here

[iNsChris]

m - (x -n)^2 = ? HELP MEEEE

Hi guys,

Im new here and wasn't sure what section to post this in :)

Doing as maths at the moment.


m - (x - n)^2 =m - x^2 - N^2 I thought...

But its

m - (x - n)^2 = n^2 + 2nx - x^2

Could someone explain why 2nx appears (It must be a basic rule that i have forgotten since doing gcse maths)

If you could help that would be much apreciated :)

 

[iNsChris]

the thing described above has really confused me!

So say it is:


= n^2 + 2nx - x^2

Then the textbook somehow gets it simplified to:

= m - n^2






When i tried to simplify it i got it to:

m - 2nx - n^2

So i thought n^2 would cancel 2n leaving 2x but can't do that...

so I am very confused :)

Look forward to the answer

Thanks,

 

[pig]

(x - n)^2 = (x - n)(x - n) = (x*x - x*n - n*x + n*n) = x^2 - 2nx + n^2

So,
m - (x-n)^2 = m - (x^2 - 2nx + n^2) = m - x^2 + 2nx - n^2

 

[iNsChris]

ok that makes sense cheers,

but what about the simplyfying one?

 

[Chronos]

Hmm, the algebraic solution pig gave is correct
m - (x - n)^2 = m - x^2 + 2nx - n^2
I don't follow how you can further simplify that expression without another equation. If the textbook says you can simplify this result to m - (x - n)^2 = m - n^2, then x = 0 and n can be any number [including 0].

 

[pig]

Yes, and x can also be 2n.

 

[Chronos]

Agreed. To further simplify m=n^2.

 

[Integral]

PLease provide a complete statement of the problem. Then show us what you have done to arrive at a solution. With this information we can help you.

 

[iNsChris]

Hey guys - Yeh sorry should of just shown you the full question (along with textbook solution).

Here is the question - Scroll down to see conclusion or don't look, do it yourself and if your arrive at same answer please explain as I am confused :)

Thanks.



Question

Find the numbers M and N such that:

5 + 4x - x² = M - (x -n)²

For all real values of x.




Solution from textbook:

m - (x - n)² = m - (x² - 2nx + n²)
= m - n² + 2nx - x²

Comparing coefficients, 5 = m - n² (... answer 1)
and 4 = 2n (... answer 2)
From (answer 2), n = 2 ; putting this into (answer 1) gives 5 = m - 4
Which means m = 9


---------------------------------------------------
If you can't explain to well could you provide a link explaining these as my textbook has confused me with this one.

I got the correct answer to:

x(1 + a + b) = 1 + 3 + 5 + 3 This was fairly straight forward (x = 1 then did x = 2) to find that a = 2 and b = 3.

It then went on to solve them using a method called "coefficents" which i need to re read and find a better explanatioN!" I am sure once i learn this i will find these fine.

Can i solve it using the "values" way to solve all Indentities or will i need to learn both ?


Cheers :)

 

[iNsChris]

BUMP For an answer

 

[Zurtex]

I'm not sure about other people but I don't exactly know what problem you have anymore. Could you please briefly explain what you are don't know or are struggling with?

 

[iNsChris]

i don't see how they got the above answer from the question - They seem to have got it down from:


5 + 4x - x² = M - (x -n)²



To :


m - (x - n)² = m - (x² - 2nx + n²)
= m - n² + 2nx - x²

Comparing coefficients, 5 = m - n² (... answer 1)
and 4 = 2n (... answer 2)
From (answer 2), n = 2 ; putting this into (answer 1) gives 5 = m - 4
Which means m = 9

 

[pig]

5 + 4x - x^2 = m - (x -n)^2
5 + 4x - x^2 = m - x^2 + 2nx - n^2
4x - x^2 + x^2 - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2
4x - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2
x(4 - 2n) = m - 5 - n^2

In order for this to work for all values of x, it must not depend on x. And it won't depend on x if 4 - 2n = 0, because x * 0 will be 0 regardless of x, so:

4 - 2n = 0
n = 2

And:

x(4 - 2n) = m - 5 - n^2
x(4 - 4) = m - 5 - 4
0 = m - 9
m = 9

 

[uart]

i don't see how they got the above answer from the question - They seem to have got it down from:


5 + 4x - x² = M - (x -n)²



To :


m - (x - n)² = m - (x² - 2nx + n²)
= m - n² + 2nx - x²

Comparing coefficients, 5 = m - n² (... answer 1)
and 4 = 2n (... answer 2)
From (answer 2), n = 2 ; putting this into (answer 1) gives 5 = m - 4
Which means m = 9

Chris, the above is called "completing the square" and is a very usuful technique for dealing with quadratic equations. You should try to learn and understand it.

I'm still not sure exactly what part of the given proof that you're struggling with, it seems very stright forward, expand and compare coefficients.

Is it the expansion (x-n)^2 = x^2 - 2nx + n^2 that's confusing you or is it the subtraction of the bracketed term in the next line that you don't understand or is it the very concept of comparing coefficients that has you beat?

 

[iNsChris]

Ok so how do you go from this:

4x - x^2 + x^2 - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2

to this:
4x - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2

You have somehow delete the
" x^2 + x^2" From the equation.

Then i see you have factorised this and got down to the final answer but how did you get rid of the thing shown above


x(4 - 2n) = m - 5 - n^2



--------------------

The book took big steps as well like somehow got:
= m - n^2 + 2nx - x^2

Then said "comparing coefficients, 5 = m-n^2 and it totally lost me!

I hate it when books that are suppose to teach you things don't explain the stages clearly.

I feel like a right stupid idiot

 

[tigger]

Ok so how do you go from this:

4x - x^2 + x^2 - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2

to this:
4x - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2

4x - x^2 + x^2 - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2
4x + (- x^2 + x^2) - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2

since -x^2 + x^2 = 0

then 4x + 0 - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2
4x - 2nx = m - 5 - n^2
x(4 - 2n) = m - 5 - n^2

since there are no x on the right hand side of this equation,
then 4 - 2n must be equal to zero for this equation to be valid

4 - 2n = 0
2n = 4
n = 2

we're left with:
0 = m - 5 - n^2

add both side with 5 + n^2

m = 5 + n^2
since n = 2, then
m = 5 + 2^2
m = 9

Hope that helps!

 

[tigger]

well about the book
5 + 4x - x^2 = M - x^2 + 2nx - n^2
and then add x^2 to both sides of equation,
5 + 4x = M + 2nx - n^2

by comparing coefficients, it means that in order to make this equation valid, you have to have the same coefficient in left hand side and right hand side for x^1, and also for x^0 (note: x^0 = 1 which means the constants have to be equal --> constants = terms that don't have x)
therefore, the coefficient of x^1 on left side is 4 and on the right side is 2n, to have a valid equation, 4 must be equal to 2n...
4 = 2n
n = 2

for x^0 (i.e. the constant) the term on left side is 5 and on the right side are M - n^2
for this equation to be valid 5 must be equal to M - n^2
5 = M - n^2
we already calculated the value of n^2
therefore,
5 = M - 2^2
5 = M - 4
add both sides with 4.
9 = M

hope that helps!